SALEM, W.Va. — WVU Tech women's basketball earned a gritty road victory Thursday night, picking up a 59–57 win at Salem University to extend its winning streak to three games and improve to 5–1 overall. The Golden Bears controlled the first three quarters and weathered a late Tigers run to secure their first true road win of the season.
WVU Tech (5–1) opened the night with strong defensive pressure, forcing six Salem turnovers in the opening period and taking a 14–10 lead after Cadence Stewart and Alexis Sexton combined for eight early points. Tech followed with one of its most efficient stretches of the evening in the second quarter, shooting 57 percent and using baskets from Stewart, Sexton and Emily Wratchford to build a 32–20 halftime advantage.
The Golden Bears continued to dictate tempo in the third, holding Salem to 4-of-15 shooting and pushing the margin to 44–32 on baskets from Stewart, Wratchford and Jazzlyn Nixon. Tech outscored Salem 8–4 in the paint during the frame and turned defensive stops into timely buckets.
Salem rallied in the fourth behind seven made three-pointers in the second half and a 10-for-10 performance at the foul line in the final quarter. The Tigers trimmed the deficit to three on multiple occasions, but the Golden Bears delivered key responses each time. A layup from Stewart, a mid-range jumper and a corner three from Sexton, and steady rebounding in the closing minutes helped Tech preserve the lead.
WVU Tech finished the night shooting 41.1 percent from the field and 35.7 percent from three while limiting Salem to 30.9 percent overall. The Golden Bears also won the paint 28–18, held Salem to just four second-chance points through three quarters, and converted 17 points off turnovers.
Golden Bear Highlights
Cadence Stewart powered Tech's offense with 21 points on 8-of-16 shooting, including a pair of threes, while adding four rebounds and a steal. Stewart scored seven in the fourth quarter and delivered multiple momentum-settling baskets as Salem closed in.
Alexis Sexton posted 19 points, hitting 7-of-12 from the floor and 3-of-5 from deep, and pulled down six rebounds. Her fourth-quarter three and two late free throws helped the Golden Bears finish out the night.
Emily Wratchford added four points, three rebounds, two steals and a team-high five assists, while Avery Lucas anchored the glass with nine rebounds and strong half-court defense in 22 minutes.
Freshmen Addyson Amick and Kyra Brown each contributed four points, with Amick adding two assists and Brown supplying key on-ball defense. Jazzlyn Nixon, Alaira Evans, and Alivia Monroe combined for seven points and nine rebounds off the bench.
As a team, WVU Tech recorded 37 rebounds, committed just seven assists to 21 turnovers forced, and held Salem to 7-of-16 from three until the final minutes.
How Tech Stacked Up vs. Salem's Numbers
Salem entered the matchup averaging 60.0 points and shooting 37.5 percent from the field. WVU Tech:
- Held Salem to 57 points, below its early-season average.
- Limited the Tigers to just 30.9 percent shooting, far under their 37.5 percent clip.
- Outscored Salem 28–18 in the paint.
- Won the rebounding battle 37–34.
- Held Salem to only 12 second-chance points, including just four through the first three quarters.
Season Totals (through Nov. 20)
Record: 5–1 overall
- Points per game: 72.8
- Rebounds per game: 43.8
- Assists per game: 16.4
- Field goal percentage: 38.9
- Three-point percentage: 32.1
- Free-throw percentage: 67.3
Team Leaders
What's Next
WVU Tech continues its road swing Tuesday, Nov. 25, traveling to Alice Lloyd College for a 5:00 p.m. tipoff.
